Kate Middleton birthday heartbreak revealed—‘with that single decision, Kate's life was turned upside down’

As Kate Middleton’s birthday approaches—and a milestone birthday at that, as the Duchess of Cambridge turns 40—a new book by royal expert, Katie Nicholl, claims a former birthday left Kate ‘crushed.’ When Kate was turning 27, many expected William to pop the question, instead he chose to join the RAF, forcing their relationship to go long distance.

• Kate Middleton was left ‘crushed’ and her life ‘turned upside down’ on her 27th birthday, a new book claims.
• Kate was shocked by William’s decision to join the RAF, which resulted in him moving three hours out of London.
• In other royal news, William and Kate's sneaky trick to keep the prying eyes of the public away from them at home has been revealed.

This year, the Royal Family have a lot to celebrate. As well as a major milestone for the Queen’s reign with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Kate Middleton is also getting ready to celebrate a milestone birthday, as the Duchess turns 40 on January 9.

Kate has plenty to celebrate; not only a major birthday, but it’s been a year of surprises from the Duchess. She’s been celebrated for ditching protocol and breaking records with a stunning piano recital and more relatable details about home life for the Cambridges have been shared, like Kate’s evening treat of a G&T after the kids are in bed.

Even though it’s thought that Kate will enjoy a low key birthday celebration instead of a big party, a smaller celebration is still better than her 27th birthday, per Katie Nicholl’s new book.

Katie, a royal expert, details the decision made by William on Kate’s 27th birthday which left her “crushed” in her book, Kate: The Future Queen.

Having just completed assignments with each section of the Armed Forces, William had the choice of either returning to the Household Cavalry or quitting the forces and begin his royal duties—which many assumed would also mean proposing to Kate.

Instead, in September 2008, William joined the RAF, moving three hours away from London (and Kate).

William's new role with the RAF would involve 18 months of training in Shropshire followed by two years at a remote location somewhere in the UK.

In her book, Katie Nicholl writes, "With that single decision, Kate's life was turned upside down. She had expected a proposal once William had completed his military training, but instead, she was forced to accept that there would be no engagement any time soon.”

"Kate would have to wait even longer."

Despite writing about William’s confidence that Kate would support him, the book suggests, “For Kate, it was a step backwards. It seemed that everyone was getting married except for her.”

However, no amount of distance came between the pair, with William regularly making the 130-mile drive to Bucklebury to see Kate.

And then, of course, at the end of 2010, William did pop the question.

Flash forward to one historic royal wedding and three children later, the pair remain solid.